ISLA COLON: THE MAIN HUB OF BOCAS DEL TORO
Home to the Bocas del Toro International Airport, Isla Colon is where most visitors stay or at least arrive when coming to Bocas del Toro. The main island of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Isla Colon is where historic Bocas Town is located, the capital city of the province of Bocas del Toro. Once considered one of the most important cities in Panama, nowadays Bocas Town has a small island vibe charm to it with a few roads, hotels, restaurants, tour agencies and shops. Bocas Town is considered the last “wooden” capital cities in Panama since there is still a few historic wooden houses with that Caribbean charm.
Isla Colon is the only paved island and you will find taxis as well. Getting around is pretty easy- either by car or by bike. You can also zip around the island on a water taxi too. Most of the hotels, restaurants and nightlife are also here. The only ATMs on the island are here (there are only two).
Isla Colon is home to some of the best waves in Bocas and has a surprising variety types of waves too. Everything from beginner sand breaks to kamakazi shore breaks Isla Colon has it all. Some of the waves worth mentioning are Tigers Tail, Paunch Beach, Dumpers and Bluff Beach. All of these spots are reef breaks except Bluff Beach. Tigers Tail and Paunch both have lefts and rights while Dumpers is only lefts. Bluff Beach is a powerful shore break located at the end of road from Bocas Town. Bluff Beach has hallow barrels running up and down the beach.